The World of Jen

2007-04-12T14:10:00.000+01:00

Now we see but a poor reflection as if in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully.

It's funny but the more I try to learn, the more I realise I have yet to learn.

Such a perfect day

2007-03-28T18:52:00.000+01:00

So yesterday we went to Alton Towers - Spruce and Axa, Eded and me.

Truely it was a fantastic day - there was hardly anyone there and we went on loads of rides - we all got completely soaked through to our pants. It was a total laugh.

So here's my top five rides

1)Rita - Queen of Speed - She's faster than a shuttle take-off, speedier than a Ferrari, boasts more lift than an aeroplane, and is more explosive even than Nemesis and Oblivion!
She catapults from 0 to 100 kph in an awesome 2.5 seconds – and never really slows down. Takes your breath away - crushes your chest.

2)The Flume - This used to be the Log Flume - but since I last went they have changed the logs for baths. Bathtime with attitude! Quite sneaky cos on the old logs you could hide under the padding in the front seat and avoid getting splashed but this bath drenches you and it comes as a massive shock - power showers, whirlpool plugs and giant rubber ducks along 1km of rapids.

3)Hex - the Earl of Shrewsbury, an old beggar woman, a gypsy curse and a branch make one of the most original rides you can take. Your eyes deceive you and your left figuring the physics.

4)Nemesis -the sit in rollercoaster that sends you hurtling around pools of blood and rocky terrain, with G-forces greater than a space shuttle takeoff. I found this quite fun not scary and spruce, axa and I had quite a chat first time round. Second time we rode her eded joined us and ... well he just closed his eyes the whole time!

5)Duel - the haunted house ride where you shoot the ghouls with your own laser gun. Cool family fun.

We also did Air, the rapids, the pinball Whizzard, the squirrel nutty ride, enterprise, charlie and the chocolate factory and ripsaw. I did not do oblivion as i've already riden her twice a few years ago and she gave me a headache so I refrained!

Actually I didn't want to go on Air cos i don't like having all my weight on one overhead frame. But I faced my fear and kept reciting in my mind - 'it's only 30 seconds of time' to my left axa was commenting how she and spruce found it so relaxing!

PS aside from A Towers the best rides i have been on else where are

the big one by pepsi max at blackpool

and the boston tea party at canobie lake park new hampshire

God is the strength of my heart

2007-03-26T09:33:00.000+01:00

Y'know when you're in the midst of tough things God never fails.

Every time things are hard - and lets face it that can be quite often cos we are sinners and we live in a fallen world - I always worship God. It's hard and as I sing through the tears it costs me - really costs me. But y'know GOD NEVER FAILS to lift me up and meet me.
He is truely the strength of my heart and I feel him holding me up and giving me peace.

Thank you God
(PS - Never have the word to everlasting God been so true to me - it's funny how you can sing something so many times then one day it is the exact vehicle you need to worship God.)

diamond white

2007-02-09T13:41:00.000Z

Cheppy is covered under a blanket of white snow.

I exaggerate not we have 4 inches in our back yard and it is still going!

Diary of preg woman cont...

2006-12-10T16:03:00.000Z

sorry this will have to be a short on cos i've got carpal tunnel and i have to keep my hands off the laptop!

so i'm now nearly 37 weeks pregnant - at 37 weeks i'm considered full term for twins - praise God eh? the babies are apparently over 6lbs each - that's big!

can i ask you guys for one finaly prayer plea?
can you all pray that i give birth soon - if i don't go into labour till the 21st the hospital will induce me and i'll be in hospital over Christmas which would be sad for me.
i'm waking up every day asking God to make today the day i give birth.

big love x

Diary of preg woman cont...

2006-11-14T15:27:00.000Z

I woke up on Sunday and my feet were huge!

When I arrived I showed them to a couple of male elders - who i foolishly consider to be supportive friends.
One, with very little hair, looked sympathetically but couldn't hide the smile that was growing across his face. The other, not much older than the first and with a little more hair, said my feet were like that of a hobit and all i needed was to draw some hair on them to complete the look!

On a serious note - swelling of feet, hands and face is a symptom of a condition called pre eclampsia. So the midwife came round on Sunday afternoon and measured my Blood Pressure and took a urine sample to check for protein. They were both fine - so that's good.

The next day I couldn't get any of my shoes on!
Today I wokeup and my fingers were like fat sausages so I've been checked be the midwife again - this time I have a little protein in my urine. So She wants to see me in the morning and on Friday and Monday.
The last time I was pregnant I saw my midwife every four weeks - this time I'm seeing my midwife four times a week. Go figure!

Roll on the next few weeks that's what I say!
To everyone who's praying - I love you guys!

Diary of preg woman cont...

2006-11-06T19:27:00.000Z

So this week is my last week at work - i go on maternity leave on Friday.
Hooray.

ok the pregnancy - The main side effect i'm havin at the moment is that i'm getting real rib pain. One of the babies is forcing my intestines and other organs over the outside of my ribs and it stings. If I press my hand on one of the babies it does get easier but then I feel bad for putting pressure on one of the kids to move out the way!

I've finally finished my birth plan - that's a form that you fill in before the birth stating your preferences for the delivery.

Mine basically says - i don't want a c section at all. The problem with that is with twins hopsitals only like to deliver babies naturally if they are head down. (meaning head aiming to come out first) But ofcourse with twins often one is head down and the other is feet first!
so you could end up with the total disaster of having a natural delivery for the first then and emergency c section for the 2nd. Talk about the worst of all scenarios.
Well when i go to hospital on Wed to discuss my plan i'm gonna basically say if the 2nd twin is feet down then i want to try and have a breech delivery - they will probably say no but i'm gonna try and argue for it. Apparently there is so much sueing of hospitals these days that they do more c sections than ever to avoid anything going wrong.
Anyway - i'll fill you in on what the Dr thinks to my plan.

antenatal classes

2006-10-31T17:42:00.000Z

so on a Wednesday afternoon I have antenatal classes
Last week was on the early/first stage of labour - how to handle the contractions.

So so funny

Firstly: being taught how to handle contractions is a con!

Secondly: 6 women (i use the term loosely as whales could be a more appropriate term) lying on a load of pillows on the floor doing deep breathing.

I don't know if the image haunts me or cracks me up!

Good News but a long long day

2006-10-23T21:54:00.000+01:00

so i arrived in hospital at 9am - note to self - never drive through the M4/5 interchange between 8 and 9 am

So i got to the Day Assessment Unit and the midwives put me on a trace machine. They wanted to check the twins' heart beat first. That lasted a while and all looked normal. Thank You God.

SO then the Doc came to see me. He chatted to me about how i've been feeling and how the babies have been moving - or not in the case of twin 2. I've been having this pain where my ribs end, especially in the middle. He examined me and honest... it hurt so much i was crying with the pain. Turns out there is some cartiledge underneath the sternum and this isn't meant to move. However in my case twin 2 is pushing it out - kind of like if someone was constantly forcing your nose somewhere it didn't want to go. It hurts - and it hurt even more when the doc was pressing it.

Anyway - after a trace and a physical exam, the doc wanted to send me for a scan to check how twin 2 was, espcially the blood flow through the chord.
The sonographer was a total expert and gave us all such a thorough going over. She looked at both twins - measured thier size, checked the blood flow through the chord and measured the liquid around them. She then took a closer look at twin 2 - She was putting her hands a the scanner on the baby at the same time. EVERYTHING LOOKS FINE - NORMAL - GREAT! They can't explain why twin 2 had a tachicardic heart rate yesterday but it's totally normal today.

So about the lack of movement....
BASICALLY - TWIN 2 IS FACING TWIN 1 AND KICKING IT - consequently I can't feel the movements of Twin 2 because Twin 1 is receiving them all! Also I've been thinking for ages that Twin 1 is like a total mover and twin 2 is quiet - but obviously Twin 1 is moving so much as a reaction to all the proding it's receiving! The sonographer had her hand above the baby as she was scanning and couldn't feel it either so i felt very reassured that it wasn't me being paranoid.

Phew!

I then returned to the DAU for blood tests and a final exam - by that time it was around 3.30 - 4pm. A long day but totally worth it.

THANK YOU ALL FOR PRAYING FOR US - WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU GOD FOR TAKING CARE OF US AGAIN.

If you could all pray that twin 2 could go head down instead of lying underneath my ribs then i could get some sleep!

BIG THANKS GUYS
x

How are the twins?

2006-10-22T20:07:00.000+01:00

well as you probably know I hadn't felt one of the twins move at all over the last few days so rang the Day Assessment Unit at S.mead and told them about it. (I'd already rang them on Tuesday as had the same problem but decided not to go in as with twins you don't feel them as often. But as i'd been at work the rest of the week I hadn't been paying attention to their movements - when you're pregers you're supposed to count a minmum of 10 different episodes of movement in a day)

Anyway... So I rang Brian who had little one for me as daddy was at work (thank you Brian - i owe you how many now?) At S mead they put me on a trace machine - it has 2 discs which lie on your tummy over the babies hearts and measure their heart rate over a period of time. Twin one - the low one who moves all the time was around 140-150bpm - perfectly healthy. Twin Two was what they describe as tacycardic - 170-180bpm.

At this point i felt a confusing pair of emotions - joy that there was a heart beat and at the same time an aching feeling cos this meant there could be a problem. As soon as the midwife saw the trace 3 Docs arrived by the bed with a scanner. They scanned twin two and although it wasn't active, the fluid looked good and the chord wasn't trapped or wrapped around anything so all in all the baby looked good.

Fortunately the heart rate came down to normal and stayed that way until I left.
The Doc basically said that I need to have a different type of scan called a doppler - this is where they scan the chord and track the amount of blood passing through it to check the baby is getting enough from the placenta. If the baby moves alot through the night then I will have the scan on Wednesday with my normal growth scan. But if I don't have much movement then I have to go in and have it done in the morning.

To be totally honest I am used to being a strong independent person who although having had times of illness, I like to take a victorious approach to being sick. This pregers is a total challenge. I'm having to ask for help alot, sleep alot, am crap company as am pooped after 6 at night and to top it all cant do lots of the things i'd like to do due to physical limitations. I'm trying to have faith about twin 2 - that everything will be ok. But I know that God doesn't always work as we want and although He always has a plan sometimes it's not our plan if you get what I mean.

So this is a request from the heart - can you pray for us all?
thanks guys
love J x

diary of a pregnant woman

2006-10-16T12:27:00.000+01:00

ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok things that totally get on my .... nerves when pregnant!

1 - when well wishing people tell you that you really aren't that big when clearly you're larger than a SIZE 20 - which is LARGE!

2- when people fuss fuss fuss around you all the time - generally treating you like a child who needs to be told to be careful constantly

3- the insomnia - when pregers you wake up regularly in the night with either - leg cramps or general discomfort and backache. This is one of the worst parts.

4- the way that everyone greets you with 'how are you feeling?' or worse still 'i think you've grown in the last 24 hours'

5- the constant melie of things running through you brain that still have to be done in preparation for the new arrival like... have i got enough baby grows? do i have all the things i need for my hospital bag.

6- the fact that your knickers are tight and dig into the baby's head if you sit down.

7- having feet so swollen that you can't fit into most of your shoes.

8- having to walk like you've just dismounted a horse.

9- not being able to get your own knickers on - and don't get me started about socks.

10- being so hot that you want to walk around in your Tshirt and knickers when everyone else is beginning to put sweaters on!

nuff said

sleepaholic

2006-09-30T11:19:00.000+01:00

so i was pretty tired after going to work this week
Last night i went to bed at 7.30pm - apparently EdEd came up at 8 and i was fast asleep - didn't wake up till gone 6.
It's now 11.15am the following day and i'm back in bed having a snooze.

Making 2 babies a once is taking more out of me than i expected.

nighty night all

VOMIT

2006-09-17T10:55:00.000+01:00

ok - the little one threw up this morning - it was very huge and very smelly

She cried - being sick always seems to make you cry doesn't it? it's just a foul violent thing that happens when your body needs to get rid of something. Poor little one.

Anyway - she seemed ok after a while - but wouldn't eat much breakie and is now in bed.

You're probably all at church enjoying the praise and worship - i'm gonna tuck myself up in bed and have a pregnancy induced nap!

dedicated to precious Gemz

2006-09-12T20:08:00.000+01:00

Soon the day will arrive where Gemz is to leave home and explore the wonderful world of university.

I will miss her - even though we don't chat frequently I admire and love lots of things about her.

1 - She's not afraid to say when she feels strongly about something.

2 - She's funny in a grown up way.

3 - She's come through tough stuff and out the other side a stronger person.

4 - She's pretty

5 - She's loving to her family and still able to take the mikey out of them!

6 - She's stuck at her education and is making the best of her life.

Gemz - i'll miss seeing you around and hope you'll come back often - have a great time but hold on to God with both hands along the journey of Uni ok.
Always here if you need me
Big Love

the last 15 minutes

2006-09-03T21:49:00.000+01:00

I've just spent the last 15 minutes trying to blog my opinion about something to do with work cryptically so that noone would be able to work out who i am taling about - and I cant do it - i want to blog on about something that's been bothering me for a while but i just can't without making someone look bad.
IT'S FRUSTRATING!

So my dear Lozzie.....
I have indeed made conversation with a stranger during the last week - While having a scan - the depth of my cervix being measured actually - i was making total small talk with the scanner - who has twins herself - 2 boys - and was filling me in about what to expect. When you have children people talk to you all the time - in the library - in the car park - in the tea shop - in Tescos - honestly children just bring out the best in people - they just want to chat to them. In fact most of the people start off talking to little one and then carry on talking to me!

when you're in love

2006-08-27T17:50:00.000+01:00

Ok - love is more than the fluttering of your heart and the butterlies in the stomach.
BUT IT IS ALSO THE FLUTTERING OF YOUR HEART AND THE BUTTERFLIES IN THE STOMACH
If that stays with you, when the challenges of relationships come your way, it makes those challenges much easier to walk through. The romantic squidgey bits of relationships are the jam in the sandwich - they help keep you together and help you remember why you choose everyday to share your life with that person. Dont get me wrong - staying because you promised to is the right thing to do but staying because you are in love is the better.
challenges come and go - but love remains and outlasts all else.

All the Norms

2006-08-27T17:42:00.000+01:00

Today I went for a cuppa to visit all the Norms with the little one.
They really are a great family - we talked about God and Church and life and family and it was so chilled. Even though their are 3 generations in the room they all are interested, supportive and loving to each other. I'm sure they must have their off days - but it just makes me think I hope my kids and grandkids have that kind of relationship with me and LGP.

PS Austria was awesome - God has shaped some beautiful mountains.

Prayer Request

2006-07-03T10:20:00.000+01:00

Hi all
Please can you pray cos my school have got an inspection this week.
Ta
x

Mango mania

2006-06-29T20:29:00.000+01:00

So today I spent the day at Mangotsfield Secondary
Note to self: never change from Primary to Secondary - you don't have the patience

I was with my year 5 class as they were having a taster day - DT and Science. My little Y5s were so excited at the bunsen burners and the vices and the Saws. But I did notice something strange happen to a few of them.
THEY MUTATED INTO TEENAGERS WHO WERE STRUTTING AROUND THE FIELD WITH SERIOUS ATTITUDE.

Is this what happens? Do some perfectly lovely children in y6 mutate into teenagers with attitude when they step foot on Secondary school soil?

long story

2006-06-25T15:07:00.000+01:00

so - the secrets out - but i reckon a few people have been suspicious for a while as i'm getting a big belly! TWINS - HOSANNA AND HALLELUJAH

Well - basically getting pregnant is a nightmare for us - We've been so blessed with little one but we do both want more children. So when we found out I was pregnant again on Christmas Day we were thrilled - but i knew something was wrong really quickly - On New Years Eve I was in St Micheals having tests and scans and they diagnosed an ectopic - I had to have surgery a day later to have it removed, as ectopics will eventually rupture and can be fatal. The strange thing was that during the surgery they discovered the bits of my insides which were squished had somehow righted themselves - ISN'T GOD CLEVER!

Anyway - the next few months were a little bit of a dark time. Paul was very quiet - trying to be supportive and making me rest and stay at home as much as possible. I just felt low and not able to articulate why. I usually don't get depressed cos i usually cry and talk out my problems with God and a friend then I pray and move on. But i found this hard to move on from. I wasn't greiving or angry - i just couldn't shake the fed up feeling.I remember one sunday leaving the hall and going into the office for a private cry and Lozzie following me and just giving me a big hug. I also rememeber going to an elders meeting and just sitting there crying and not knowing why - i'm telling you it was dark - to be a derpessed person would be awful. But God never left me. When it came to preaching or leading worship I felt like i had nothing to give so i prayed and asked God to work through me and the Holy Spirit never let me down. He never let me do a bad job because He cares about the church and cares about me. God is indescribably faithful. We don't aprreciate how faithful.

By March I was feeling brighter - my hormones had probably come back into order and by the middle of April I was pregnant again - My first reaction was to be very anxious - i know i shouldn't be but after the ectopic i wouldn't allow myself to be happy about it until i knew it was ok. So my Dr and my Consultant were busily writing letters to each other and doing bloods and ordering scans.
My blood tests showed something unusual - it wasn't ectopic PRAISE GOD - but it did indicate downs syndrome or a multiple pregnancy - it could also have been a molar pregnancy which is where a growth in the womb consumes the growing baby! You can just imagine how it was waiting for my first scan to come through. Paul was always confident - but he was confident at Christmas so i didn't really listen to him (don't tell him though)
I had my first scan and they said they thought it was twins but the just weren't totally sure cos it was too early to see them. So I had to go back 10 days later - when they said that it was definitely twins. I was so pleased cos I'd like 3 kids and the whole pregnancy thing for me is tough so doing it in one go is like a complete result! Then came more bad news - the consulant told us that we had a 50:50 chance of loosing one - or both. Out of every 80 twin pregnancys only 30 actually are born as twins - i don't understand how that works out at 50:50 but he did manage to explain it. So we then had to pray, trust God and wait. God has a plan for all our lives and if that meant having an ectopic at Christmas as He had a better plan in mind then all we can do is trust him. There aren't any half measures when you're a christian are there.
So Shandy and Bess and the other elders were praying - and a few close mates i'd told. Finally we had a 12 weeks scan last Wednesday - 2 babies, 2 placentas (that's really good cos if they share one they can get sick) and 2 sacs (that's also good cos they don't get caught in each others cords). Complicated stuff i know.
They are 6cm long at the moment. how cool is that? They have fully formed hands and feet and hearts are beating away mega fast. They have the best possbile chance - We're not quite out of the woods yet but God's is control.
God is so faithful - and I know and believe in my heart that God is faithful in the ectopic and in the twins pregnancy. God's got HIS sovereign hand on our lives whether things are going well or not. Just think all the odds are totally against me having children. it is God's way or nothing for us.
Thank you Lord.

God's faithful

2006-06-21T21:23:00.000+01:00

and He's proved it again
Long story so i'll post later

Giving God some Glory

2006-06-19T12:49:00.000+01:00

I haven't blogged for ages cos i'm having to trust God about something at the moment and it's best I don't talk about what that is so I can deal with it. (If you've read my last blog - you can see it's been going on for a while). I don't like having to keep stuff private for lots of reasons. Mostly though i just feel like i'm being false with people. I prefer to be open, so that people understand where i'm at and why, but it's not always the best option. A few people have been asking me why i'm being distant and if i'm ok - how do you say 'i'm just dealing with stuff' when you know they're gonna be concerned for you and worry you're distant and think they've offended you and so on. So you end up saying 'I'm fine - just tired and busy' Which isn't a lie so you don't feel guilty. Then I think of Esther and how she kept her nationality until the time was right and I think - well if it's good enough for her then I guess it's ok for me.

So i guess life's been a challenge for a while now - but y'know God is so good to us. When we need Him, He's able to provide us with something that just pulls us deeper and nearer.
I heard this song called Take all of me by Hillsong United the other day. I just listened to it and tears rolled down my face - in fact they do everytme i hear it. God knows just when i need to get closer to Him and how singing to Him helps me sense Him in a deep heart sense.

The chorus is:
I love you
All of my hope is in you
Jesus Christ take my life
Take all of me

The words and melody just capture something supernatural of the Holy Spirit for me at the moment - God's given it to me to help me release things to Him. It totaly brings my focus onto Him which lifts me from where I am in a natural sense.

Sorry guys - i'm not really expressing this very well. I just want to give God some glory for being such an awesome Father and always looking out for me.

I am trusting God

2006-05-02T16:43:00.000+01:00

A righteous man will be remembered forever.
He will have no fear of bad news;
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is secure, he will have no fear;

When I go through stuff that's challenging I try my best to trust God and not to worry.

Sometimes it's hard - but I think each time a new thing comes along I get a little better at it.

new blogger

2006-04-30T17:16:00.000+01:00

Hi all

for those who know him - Quinnster has started blogging!
check it out - it's on my links

so busy

2006-04-27T21:39:00.000+01:00

ever have those weeks - well fortnights where you're like so busy you dont have time to blog or email people?

me too.

2006-04-20T22:34:00.000+01:00

I think all men in the world should be taught by this guy on self expression to their partners!

blog drought!

2006-04-18T10:07:00.000+01:00

no one blogs in the holidays

T blogged brief today

I miss Lozzie!

my type - apparently

2006-04-13T20:42:00.000+01:00

You like the outdoor sort. The strong, masculine man who's in touch with nature and extremely sporty. This low-maintenance man has a no-frills attitude, and his down-to-earth demeanour is very refreshing. He's probably well rounded and maintains a healthy balance in his life. He's not the sort to get caught up in any of life's superficialities. Another fact you love about him is that he's not a game. He's masculine without being laddish, and he has no tolerance for petty things. So what you see is what you get. And you definitely are charmed by the entire package! Whether it's his sense of adventure or his rugged look that melts your heart, you always fall hard for the Mountaineer.

Molden the Bishop

2006-04-10T17:12:00.000+01:00

So yesterday morning in the prayer room-
inny is laughing and giggling with her nieghbour
she basically was commenting on Molden having suit on.
initially she thought he would be going somewhere else to preach - then she realised
'M is the bishop this morning'
no offence to said Molden but we all instantly cracked up

CRAZY I TELL YOU

My Sister

2006-04-10T16:22:00.000+01:00

1: She is someone I'll ring if i'm at a tearful moment and she always manages to have time in her hectic life for those moments
2: She is a hugely caring and loving person to everyone
3: She's a great cook and baker - and alround homemaker - as well as successful public sector and Higher Ed worker
4: When we were at school she was the kind of sister that everyone else wanted but only i had
5: She's a great great mother to her little ones
6: She's got stunning (if not a little weird) dress sense
7: Atkins used to fancy her!!!!!!
8: Actually pretty much all my boyfriends and both husbands have fancied her at some point!
9: She makes me laugh alot: We laugh at each other and I love that
10: She is really encouraging - like when I started my relationship with Atkins and she secretly thought him a nerd she said - 'Gosh you really love him don't you!' and i knew I had her approval
11: She is my favourite person in the world to go shopping with cos we have a right laugh at each other's bodies!

ahhh i could go on ages but i must get back to my preachin notes!

a mate of mine sent me this - so i'm gonna blog

2006-04-10T13:10:00.000+01:00

> 1. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME?
haven't got one
> 2. WHAT COLOUR UNDERWEAR ARE YOU WEARING?
black
> 3. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
nothing - bliss
> 4. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
dark choco digestive
> 5. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE?
Aqua
> 6. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW?
bright sun shiny day
> 7. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Marg
> 8. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX?
eyes, hair and smile all at the same time
> 9. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT YOU THIS?
yes i do- she's a positive smiler!
> 10. HOW ARE YOU TODAY?
great, it's the easter holidays!
> 12. FAVOURITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK?
G & T baby
> 13. FAVOURITE SPORT?
i like being a spectator! last years i really got into cricket - but my fave is gymnastics
> 14. HAIR COLOUR?
dark brown
> 15. EYE COLOUR?
hazel
> 16. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
> sometimes
> 17. FAVOURITE MONTH?
> August - holidays
> 18. FAVOURITE FOOD?
tough one - probably roast beef and yorkshire pudding or steak pie!
> 20. ARE YOU TOO SHY TO ASK SOMEONE OUT?
no - but i usually just signal with my eyes that i'm interested then wait to be asked.
> 21. SUMMER OR WINTER?
> Summer, i love the sun
> 22. HUGS OR KISSES?
Kisses!!!!!!
> 23. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS -
Relationships - seriously who would not choose this -
24. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?
chocolate
> 25. DO YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO WRITE BACK
yes, if they have time
> 26. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO BLOG THIS
Lozzie - but she's going on holiday - maybe precious
> 27. WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO BLOG THIS
Trist
> 29. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
not reading anything except my bible at the mo
> 30. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT?
was at church - was a brill mtg!
> 31. LAST PLACE YOU WENT ON HOLIDAY?
Devon
> 32. FAVOURITE SMELLS?
Armani 'Aqua di Gio'
> 33. WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Norm inspires me when he comes out with some simple truth in worship
> 34. BUTTERED, PLAIN, OR SALTED POPCORN?
salted
> 35. FAVOURITE CAR?
the volvo jeep - oooh i'd love one of those
> 36. FAVOURITE FLOWER?
Lily
> 37. HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR KEY RING?
5
> 38. CAN YOU JUGGLE
a little
> 39. RED OR WHITE WINE?
either!
> 40. WHAT DID YOU DO FOR YOUR LAST BIRTHDAY?
went out to the Greek in Cheppy
> 41. WHAT IS YOUR STAR SIGN?
Don't agree with them - but i'm scorpio
> 42.DO YOU OWN A DONOR CARD?
Should do but haven't got one
> 43. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP?
usually i hear the little one chatting to herself - i think how blessed i am to have her and how happy she makes me
> 44. EVER BEEN IN LOVE?
Yes twice
> 45. WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR A HONEYMOON?
i'd prefer somewhere remote but beautiful and lush like bali or the maldives

BLONDE JOKES

2006-04-06T23:38:00.000+01:00

HOW DO BLONDES COPY A DOCUMENT?

2006-04-06T19:43:00.000+01:00

picture this - it's 6:13AM

*big crash from EdEd's side of the bed*
EdEd has rolled over and caught a cable in his sleep, pulling the bedside draws over

EdEd: (asleep and grumbling and swearing) shelves are always fallin down
Me: (rather annoyed about being woken up)what's going on?
EdEd: (still asleep) shelves ... bread on the floor. (more grumbling and swearing)

TESCOS IS JUST PLAIN INVADING TOO MUCH OF MY LIFE!

God spoke to me this morning

2006-04-02T18:50:00.000+01:00

*big smile and feeling of peace*

This morning in the meeting when TMWTIWFIS prayed for me - he began to prophesy.
GOD TOTALLY ROCKS! He reminded me what He wants me to do in His perfect way.
God always knows how to convince me of His ideas because He says it in a way that makes it TOTALLY AND UTTERLY SUPERNATURALLY NATURAL.

ha ha

2006-03-30T21:18:00.000+01:00

Norm sent me this! it took ages but i thought it was a challenge!

http://uk.tickle.com/test/iq/start.html

these were my results-
Your IQ score is 129!

You are equipped with a verbal arsenal that enables you to understand complex issues and communicate on a particularly high level, making you a Word Warrior. Your command of words is so powerful that you are also a terrific communicator -- able to articulate big ideas to just about anyone.

The power of words translates to fresh ideas off paper too, in both artistic and creative pursuits. This allows you to be a visionary -- to extrapolate and come up with a multitude of fresh ideas.

lol - i have an verbal arsenal!

Question!

2006-03-29T10:23:00.000+01:00

Honestly now - what is the weirdest thing you've got on your favourites menu?

Mine is 'www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk'- i mean really - i'm like a terrible housekeeper!!!!!

the Owens

2006-03-29T09:49:00.000+01:00

Got a text from Timmay's papa a couple of days ago. They're safe and having a fab time. Anyone heard from Timmmay?

DOH - he's already blogged!

jobs jobs jobs

2006-03-27T12:55:00.000+01:00

Don't ya just love it when you work for a few hours and clear your jobs list alot
I've just organised the next four weeks so i know when i'm gonna be preparing for Worship Team, preparing for preaching and women's day and spending time with lovely hubby and short one!
*satisfied sigh with smile*

I'm not sure about this one

2006-03-24T20:20:00.003Z

a while back MM preached on encouragement and that gotta me thinkin .

these are somethings I should be saying but haven't in a while - well possibly haven't said at all - but please dont think they're just a** kissin cos i have thought about each one and mean them sincerely

So to the people who read my blog and in no particular order:

Lozzie - you are beautiful on the inside and outside. also i love the way you are prepared to stand up for what you think is right

Mr T - you are one of the most committed and dedicated people I know - consistency matters in the days we live in

Nami - ah Nami you are gifted girl - I love your voice - it is pure and smooth and effortless. sing sing sing

Mrs T - i really like the way you stand up to me - as i get to know you more i do like what i see

Lil Gem - if i had a little sister you would be it - i love you - really i do

Tommy - i believe you are a gifted song writer with tremondous potential - God has got such a plan for you - run after it with all you've got

Timmay - you've been a wonderful encouragment in recent months - i'm looking forward to seeing what God's gonna do with you - He's got you're future in His hands

Sam RV - you are funny girl - your sense of humour is fab fab fab!!!!!!

KT - i miss you. remember all the times you and tall one came round before Ed Ed was saved and became friends - lets see more of each other

Fab Anon - wow what can i say - you're a fine fine lady - all woman and with a sharp wit which i adore

finally ...
Sez - I think of you so often - i still miss you babe........come back soon soon soon

James

2006-03-21T20:29:00.000Z

so for homegroup we're reading James and learning a couple of verses

James is such a fantastic book of the Bible .... but it is a bit scary cos as I pour through the verses and chapters I realise how far short I fall from God's standards.

Reading it effected me. I prayed before I went to work and asked God to help me throughout my day - I think my day went better cos I made a real effort to be positive in all my conversations and to be patient when dealing with people shorter than myself.

It has been a good day.

some buildings just make my jaw drop

2006-03-17T21:05:00.000Z

this is in no way a fave list - just some i like - some i've seen some i'm gonna see - hopefully

vanbasco.com

2006-03-17T19:41:00.000Z

today my class were so so good - i decided to let them have 10 mins fun fun at the end of the day

So i logged onto vanbasco.com and we had.....................
KARAOKE BABY!
the kids picked a few songs and we had a sing along
it was fab - everyone should try it

You dont have to use the few songs on vanbasco you can upload ither songs into it - really it's coolio

At Last a normal day

2006-03-13T11:28:00.000Z

Well life's been hectic for ages now
But thank God even though my to do list is still quite long i can have a normal day today.

so far today has consisted of:
7: getting up with little one
7.30 : feeding little one and having chat with Big one about day
8.00: start cleaning dining room - progress to toliet then living room then kitchen
10.30: give little one her milk and play with her
11.00 put little one to bed and spend some time with God and sorting Worship team stuff.
11.30 : catch up on emails
11.37: blog!

sounds dull i know - but honestly I am thanking God for my pressure free ordinary day.

Seven 7 Seven - tagged

2006-03-11T13:26:00.000Z

Ok my top 7 numbers - that's so tough it's totally harsh man - I love so much music in the world

I've tried to choose a range from different genres Christian, Jazz, Classical, Rock etc to give you a flavour!

THESE ARE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER!

1 - Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2
Faith, Political message, unbeatale sound, memories of teenage angst! What's not to love here!

2 - Un bel di, vedremo from the opera Madama Butterfly by Puccini
This is one of the most sublime pieces of music I have ever heard- the music alone serously stirs me - try it.

3 - Fly me to the moon by Sinatra
So romantic - playful - dreamy - everything a girl would ask for.

4 - Moondance by Van Morrison
This one is a personal reason that i'm not gonna share with everyone else - I love the song but it's got memories man.

5 - How Much We Can Bear - By Hezekiah Walker
Black Gospel choir number which talks about Calling on Jesus - the music emulates the message - as the song gets tougher we press into God harder!

6 - Don't stop me now by Queen
This song totally rocks - i sung it with a couple of mates of mine all the way to Winchester on our way to a party and it became our University Anthem - Good times

7 - Elephant Love Melody from Moulin Rouge
I love this - it's so clever how all the different songs knit together - This is deffo my fav Musical.

FINALLY MY FAV CHORUS -
Voice of Hope - By Lara Martin
THis is my testimony about the little one - i can't sing it without choking up with tears

do you ever have those times where you say something and then wish you could take it back?

2006-03-08T22:44:00.000Z

sometimes I say stuff and later i think - why did i say that - some things seem like a good idea at them time and then.... light dawns - i should have kept it shut.

first steps of a different kind

2006-03-07T19:09:00.000Z

So the little angel took first steps today - I help out a toy infront of her and she took 3 little shuffles to get it. I scooped her up in my arms and whooped for joy.
She is such an amazing blessing.

Thankyou God

sometimes God says no

2006-03-05T20:32:00.000Z

I'm reading a book at the moment called 'Finding God in the Wilderness'

One of the points i read this morning was that God sometimes says no to the things you want.
Jesus said to His Father - “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
And the Father - His Father - said no - because He had a greater purpose.

Sometimes God says no to us - even when it's something we want really bad, even when it's something good - because He has a greater purpose.

when something's on your mind

2006-02-28T14:46:00.000Z

Do you ever have days where there is something on your mind bothering you and you can't shift it?
I've prayed and tried to leave this thing with God but still it's bothering me. Usually I just get on with something else but today it's snowing and cold.
I'm gonna go and try to prepare my preaching - hopefully God will help me receive His peace and then the problem will still be there but not be a burden.

I LOVE MOZART

2006-02-22T18:56:00.000Z

Last week my friend who sounds like 'snore' and I returned, after several years of abstinence to Chepstow Choral Society.

To be honest we are the youngest people there by a lots of years but it was so much fun. I was so so hugely excited when I realised they are singing Mozart's Requiem. It's just a breath taking piece. And I love singing with an orchestra. La la la la. Even though my throat is sore i'm going tonight to follow the rehearsal. We're going every other Wednesday night (cos our homegroup will be on the other Wednesday). The concerts on 1st of April so lots and lots to practise!

I'm excited!

4 thang Nessa style

2006-02-21T22:26:00.000Z

Four Jobs I have ever had in my life:

1. Sales rep (yawn!)
2. Receptionist in Solicitors
3. Nurse
4. Saturday girl in hardware shop

Four Movies I can watch over and over:

1. Love actually …arh
2. Point Break… Patrick at his best
3. Patriot Games
4. Hunt for Red October

Four Places I have lived:

1. Brum, ma & pa
2. Dudley… in nurses home!!(A more rebellious phase of my life)
3. Bristol… Home sweet Home
4. in my car …..Day after day after day ….

Four TV Shows I love to watch:

1. Nip Tuck… sad eh
2. Friends
3. Top Gear
4. Judge John Deed… (Martin Shaw um… showing my age)

Four places I have been on vacation:

1. Cornwall
2. Cornwall
3. Cornwall
4. Cornw… only joking Men orca, Portugal, Lakes

Four websites I visit daily:

1. Limited by time but occasionally friends reunited
2.?
3. ?
4. Sorry how boring.

Four of my favourite foods:
1. CHOCOLATE
2. Any thing Italian
3. Hot crusty bread and real butter
4. Grapes

Four places I would rather be right now:

1. Steam room
2. Walking along the beach
3. with friends relaxing
4. Romantic meal for two with And… prize for the first person to convince him to do it.

Four people I am tagging:

1. Esther (via Nig's Blog - Lozzie can you pass this on please)
2. Adam
3. Tessa (Via Jen's Blog)
4. Becky (via Tessa Via Jen's Blog)

This one's to my God

2006-02-21T19:11:00.000Z

I need to be in Your presence
I need to stand in under the flow of the Living Water
I need to kneel in the brilliance of Your Glory
I need a touch of Your Fire, to be running over with Your love
I just need to be with You

At Tristan's request - It's a Four thang courtesy of train spotter

2006-02-20T22:28:00.000Z

Four Jobs I have had in my life:

1. Betterware catalogue delivery person
2. Dishwasher at motorway service station
3. Burger maker at theme park (all the joy of student vacation jobs)
4. Tesco Trading Manager

Four Movies I can watch over and over:

1. LOTR (all of them)
2. Dirty Harry
3. Shawshank
4. Pulp Fiction

Four Places I have lived:

1. Eastwood (mining Town near Nottingham)
2. Lancaster
3. Salisbury
4. Clifton

Four TV Shows I love to watch:

1. Morse - (own the complete collection on DVD courtesy of lovely wifey)
2. Friends
3. Judge John Deed
4. 24

Four places I have been on vacation:

1. USA
2. Sri Lanka
3. Italian Lakes
4. Rome

Four websites I visit weekly (daily are you kidding?):

1. Hotmail
2. LloydsTsb
3. Liverpool FC
4. Athleticsdirectory

Four of my favourite foods:

1. Chocolate
2. Biscuits
3. Steak
4. Lasagne

Four places I would rather be right now:

1. On top of a mountain in the Alps
2. On top of a mountain in the Lake District
3. In the Kop at Anfield
4. In the audience at U2 gig

Four people I am tagging (what is tagging - i'm glad I don't know):

1. Sara F
2. Andy B (via Lozza's Blog)
3. Darren F (via Sara's Blog)
4. Tom SR (embarrassed Man U fan)

Trist I have had to endure mucho whinging about this task - train spotter would rather mow the lawn than interact though a screen - in manner of glorified text messaging - which he also cannot abide! excellent!

Apparently 4 is the magic number - Lozzie style

2006-02-19T09:03:00.000Z

Four Jobs I have had in my life before being 21:

1. A greek dancer - aged 17 in a greek restaurant
2. Troubleshooter for hosiery factory cutting room (uni vacation)
3. Principles Menswear Suit department - measuring men - ew! (throughout Uni)
4. barmaid

Four Movies I can watch over and over: v diffiult one lozzie

1. Pride and Prejudice
2. Star Wars Empire Strikes Back
3. LOTR - Two Towers
4. Sound of Music

Four Places I have lived:

1. Eastwood (miningtown in Nottingham)
2. Cardiff (various places in the city)
3. Blackwood (Welsh Valleys)
4. Chepstow

Four TV Shows I love to watch at the moment:

1. ER
2. America's Next Top Model
3. Question Time
4. The West Wing

Four places I have been on vacation:

1. San Francisco
2. New York
3. Sri Lanka
4. Melbourne

Four websites I visit daily:

1. Lozzie's Blog - funny we all check out what ya up to
2. E bay - am selling stuff on there
3. BBC News Desk
4. Hotmail

Four of my favourite foods:

1. Anything Greek
2. Trifle made by my mum
3. Walkers cheese and onion crisps
4. Green and Blacks chocolate

Four places I would rather be right now:

1. HOliday
2. Holiday
3. Holiday
4. Holiday

Four people I am tagging (er what does this mean? and am i showing my age?):

1. Fab Anon - cos i love her blog
2. Bruce- cos i wish he would start a blog so i could keep in touch more often
3. Mrs T - cos i'd like to get to know her a bit more
4. Dwayne - cos he has only blogged once

What can you do when you're ill?

2006-02-19T08:54:00.000Z

I've got tonsilitus - they feel like they are the size of footballs and have got nasty white spots on.
I've got no energy or appetite.
Also my eyes hurt so reading is out.

What does everyone else do when they're ill?

PS Fab Anon can you blog again so i can find out what has happened since you're last blog.

Last nite

2006-02-14T16:47:00.000Z

so last night we spent some time with the Worship Team
It was so good to actually have some fun and let our hair down.
Thanks for coming everyone.

Big Love
J & P

MEN AND CLEANING

2006-02-12T19:55:00.000Z

Why is it that men do not clean work surfaces - when making themselves a food they either:
a)leave the crumbs with no regard for the person following them
or
b)attempt to use a dishcloth to clean the crumbs but actually only end up rearranging the crumbs and actually leaving the same mess!

WHY?

Boundaries? Who needs em?

2006-02-10T20:45:00.000Z

I've been back at work for a few weeks now and I have so many stories already, but I can't really blog them cos of the nature of my 'clients' (if you know what I mean).

However.. a couple of weeks ago - one of my clients said something to me which caused the rest of the individuals in my room to take a sharp sudden intake of breath and look immediately to the floor... I'm sure you can imagine.

Well I had 'chat' with this client (again i'm sure you can imagine!) and since them the client has been a reformed character and actually made 100% effort. I gave the said client great praise today cos it was duly deserved.

Do we all work best with clear boundaries and would we go off the rails without them?

sigh

2006-02-08T20:44:00.000Z

y'know i've been watching the BBC version of the Jane Austen Classic Pride and Prejudice for a long time. When i'm sick or tired, I put it on like one of pauls old sweaters and curl up with Mr Darcy and the lake scene at Pemberley... *sigh*

However since the lovely Mr Amazon sent my new DVD of the latest version I have realised that Colin Firth has been relegated to second place in my premiere league of classic movies. The scene where Elizabeth and Darcy meet at dusk is just *huge huge sigh* absolutly moving.

Note to self - must make husband read classic fiction in attempt to make more romance!

oh no - would you believe it

2006-01-31T19:08:00.000Z

since being back at work my head has been itching

ITCHING - y'get me

I am going into the bathroom right now to comb my itchy head over the bath and see what falls out - i am really itching or is it all in my mind!

Texas Hold 'Em

2006-01-22T23:48:00.000Z

Do you remember a while back when it was all - 'i feel risky...you wanna come over and play world domination?'

Well how the worm has turned.... now we're all top trumps (the sky scraper editions) and POKER...

Score LGP 2 : SJ 1

Seriously - if any one wants to come over for a hand of poker P would love to see you. He and a mate of ours have started playing a grand slam every week.

Games - they go round in fads don't ya think?

Traffic Jam Flirting!

2006-01-21T23:43:00.000Z

So i'm listing to GWR yesterday on my way to work - somtimes i listen to classic FM but GWR has better traffic news.
Anyway .... the presenters start talking about traffic jam flirting. Apparently people have started turning on their bluetooth and texting people while at traffic lights and stuck in jams. They ask people for dates!
I have to admit that this is very very interesting. I don't know why - it just makes me curious. I was once chatted up at the cash point - but getting a text from a stranger in a traffic jam...well isn't that just a bit intrustive...I bet it's initiated by the blokes.
So if you're desperate and dateless. Get a car and hit the road in rush hour baby! Remember only the cars with the fish symbol on the back.

GOD HAS BROUGHT GOOD PEOPLE INTO MY PATH.

2006-01-18T22:20:00.000Z

There are so many good people in the world.

Lately people have been very kind...someone sent me flowers...the same person noticed me walking away upset and followed me to give me a hug...someone else dropped everything to come round and cheer me up...someone else prayed for me and told me it was good to be honest when i'm struggling...someone else just looked at me with an expression that spoke more understanding than a thousand words...someone else spotted me in the prayer line and rushed to stand behind me, while someone else rushed to stand infront of me...someone else sent me an email from over the big pond to tell me they were thinking of me...lots of someones sent me texts cos i didn't want to answer the phone...

TRUELY I AM BLESSED WITH GREAT CARING PEOPLE IN MY LIFE.
GOD HAS BROUGHT GOOD PEOPLE INTO MY PATH.

tonight was good good good

2005-10-10T00:01:00.000+01:00

It was a good meeting tonight -

To the fryer - your faithfulness always makes me smile
To the Adman - thank you for the obedience and confidence with which you spoke - looking forward to the next one
To the Minister - thankyou for being my flexible friend and letting the meeting run on

I am always hungry for God - but some times i get busy and the hungryness turns into routine rather than actually purposeful heart thing. Y'know like when you sing the same chorus too many times and the words seems to loose that initial impact they had on you - you still mean them but it's not quite the same freshness it once was.

Tonight i said sorry to God and am determind that i'm gonna do everything i can to stay fresh like a new song in my relationship with my heavenly Dad. Man it was so good to get totally real with Him. I loved it

God I love you - all that I am loves you. I want to talk with you, walk with you more than I do now.
Oh and Lord please please please heal little J - cos i love all the t's too.

The beauty and humility of A.N

2005-10-01T23:24:00.000+01:00

Today i went to see a young man in hospital. As I walked in this young man reached out his hand to hold mine. How wonderful that he has realised at such a young age the power of touch. He knows that to take someones hand can help you overcome pain and feel their support. It struck me how much of an individual this young man is... he is not embarressed like most others his age to show his deep emotions. How God must love to be in his company, what liberty he must have in expressing his worship. And how easy he must find it to take Gods hand and recieve his love..... there is great great potential in this life because of his heart..... how exciting.

MOONDANCE

2005-10-01T23:15:00.000+01:00

Well it's a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
'Neath the cover of October skies

And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I'm trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low

You know the night's magic
Seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight
Seems to shine in your blush...

Can I just have one a' more moondance with you, my love?
Can I just make some more romance with a' you, my love?

Well I wanna make love to you tonight
I can't wait till the morning has come
And I know now the time is just right
And straight into my arms you will run

And when you come my heart will be waiting
To make sure that you're never alone
There and then all my dreams will come true dear
There and then I will make you my own

And every time I touch you, you just tremble inside
And I know how much you want me that, you can't hide...

Can I just have one more moondance with you, my love?
Can I just make some more romance with you, my love?

Pure romance is bliss.....body tingling.....deep desiring bliss.

This one is for a lovely woman

2005-09-22T23:07:00.000+01:00

I know a lady who has had a tough time of it lately. She's really really precious and kind and thoughtful and generous. I think she's special. I just want to say to this woman. Don't get upset cos inspite of tough times God is always doing things in people and places. He knows what He is doing. Don't take things to heart, keep your eyes on Him and other things won't seem so tough or important.
You are precious in my eyes. So in God's you must be way way special!

God is so Amazing

2005-09-20T16:32:00.000+01:00

Somedays you feel like you just need to hear God about stuff.
Y'know I'm the kind of person who usually knows what I think about stuff and decisions don't come hard to me. Lately that's not been the case. I think I've been busily doing stuff on my own and not really asking God about the decisions I've been making. Cos we've got the mind of Christ I know God has given me the ability to know what's right and wrong and some things really are straight forward.

HOWEVER sometimes God gives us a choice about stuff.... I've been umming and ahhhing about some choices lately. I asked God to show me the way and He did.
IS HE LIKE THE MOST AMAZING EVER OR WHAT?

GOD I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU.

some tv actually makes me cry

2005-09-15T12:44:00.000+01:00

today i watched the episode of charmed where piper gives birth and i cried. Y'know i have seen this episode a few times and i always cry. *sob*

I FALL FOR IT EVERY TIME

2005-09-10T08:37:00.000+01:00

Atkins loves mountain walking - we live where we do so he can run on the Wye Valley Path! And I don't mind walking so long as it's not that steep.

In Dartmoor this week....
So we get the os map out and he plans a route - everytime he says it wont be too steep and will only take a few hours.....and at the end he's always like: oh i didn't realise the contours were 10m appart; Gosh Jen I really didn't think it would take us four hours; oooh that was a much harder climb than I expected; the views were worth it weren't they.

DOES HE THINK I AM STUPID?
AM I STUPID?

I must be cos everytime when he says we'll do a gentle rambling today babe.. I believe him!

What a trickster!

BATTLE OF THE SEXES

2005-09-10T08:21:00.000+01:00

ok so every time atkins and I go on holiday we take with us

a pack of cards
pass the pigs (don't always take these)
top trumps
5 dice and a pad for Yahtzee

Some of you will no doubt think this sad but we totally enjoy having a drink and playing games after dinner. Actually the games war starts in the airport, continues on the beach, on the top of mountains, in restaurants. We've be told off for gaming in certain cities! We always keep a running total - different games are worth a different amount of points depending on how hard they are to win.

EVERY YEAR - AND I MEAN EVERY YEAR - I win over all at cribbage and atkins wins at Chou Di - a card game that KT and the tall guy taught us like 5 years ago!

YET EVERY YEAR I LOOSE OVER ALL - THIS IS BECAUSE ATKINS DOESN'T LIKE CRIBBAGE AND ONLY PLAYS WHEN FORCED!

The reason I always loose is thus. And I know for you guys this will be tough to believe - but it's totally true. When it comes to Atkins I'm a push over.... I don't mind what we play and don't mind loosing. He minds what we play and sooooo minds loosing - so every year he wins overall. Once when we went to The Julian Alps he won like 300+ :200+.

My question is this: DO ALL WOMEN GIVE WAY COS THEY DON'T MIND LOOSING? ARE ALL MEN COMPETITVE?

Dreaming of Distant Shores

2005-08-27T20:34:00.000+01:00

If I could go anywhere in the world for 5 days I would go to:

Hong Kong
Singpore
Bangkok

If I could go anywhere in the world for 2 weeks I would go to:

The Incas - Machu Picchu
Cape Town and South Africa
The Himalayas

If I could go anywhere in the world for a month I would go to:

New Zealand
Canada's Glacier parks
A South East Asia tour Cities and Beaches

Day dreaming for a short while before returning to the real world of having a family and cash limitations! God has made a beautiful world - HE IS LIKE SO SO SO BEYOND CLEVERLY CREATIVE!

Baby Rhyme Time

2005-08-25T20:47:00.000+01:00

The last Thursday of the month is baby Rhyme time at the Library - bascially we all sit in a circle and sing rhymes and do actions.

Before the little one I would have found this type of activity COMPLETELY DULL AND ...WELL TOTAL PANTS REALLY. But add the little one into my life and suddenly it seems like the best way to spend an afternoon.

THE LITTLE ONES TOP NURSERY RHYMES

See the sleeping Bunnies
Hickory Dickory Dock
Twinkle Twinkle
The Owl and the Pussy Cat (technically a poem)
The wheels on the bus (with Mummy dancing!)

There are about 30 mums and babies all sat singing in a circle ( a few dads come but generally look embarressed!) We all chuckle together.

I find this so lovely and The little one Totally loves it. I appreciate most of you will be reaching for the bucket about now!

x x x x

CHECK THIS OUT - IF YOU HAVE THE STOMACH FOR IT

2005-08-18T23:29:00.000+01:00

Honestly this is true but obviously I have to not include specifics to prevent myself from being sued! DO NOT READ ON IF YOU HAVE A DELICATE STOMACH.

A lady once bought herself some fried chicken, she ate it in the cinema whilst watching a movie.
The next day she ended up in hospital with food poisoning.

Once the hospital had investigated the contents of her stomach, they discovered the food in her tummy was actually a deep fried, bread crumb coated MOUSE!

The said mouse had fallen into batter and ended up with the rest of the chicken. Apparently when mice are cooked their bones go soft like chicken flesh. SHe should only have noticed something when she bit into the skull of the animal. THIS IS TRUE ASK ATKINS FOR DETAILS.

The moral of the story - NEVER EAT IN THE DARK!

BE WARNED - AM GOING TO RANT

2005-08-17T22:42:00.000+01:00

Today I went to Blaise Cas. Looking forward to a lovely day with some friends and their kids.

Once in the playground i was amazed at how many people were smoking. IT WAS UTTERLY UGLY - KIDS EVERYWHERE... THE HEALTH - THE EXAMPLE - THE SMELL - THE COMMON APPEARANCE. I WAS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED. The most disturbing thing seemed to be that the majority of the people smoking were younger mothers.

I can understand that if you smoke you are addicted and it's hard to give up. I sympathize with that and believe that in our democratic society people should be able to choose if they smoke. BUT IN A CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND?? Where the majority of individuals are under 5 with tender little developing lungs?? Do you think these people have heard of passive smoking?

Gosh I am cross!

Teeth

2005-08-15T18:39:00.000+01:00

Ahhhh my little one has her first eruption - to those who aren't into dentists jargon she has her first tooth coming through. How cool.....How painful.....How much dribbling.....

Go Gnasher - I love you girl!

FROM ATKINS - EYE CHOCOLATE FOR THE GENTS

2005-08-13T21:49:00.000+01:00

Some women are just created stunning

CHOCOLATE FOR THE EYES OF THE LADIES

2005-08-13T21:10:00.000+01:00

Some people are just created handsome

Bono in the 80's - well 90's as well

John Taylor

Antonio Banderas - in Evita and Zorro

Aragorn - in the flick not the man in real life

Johnny Depp

Tom Cruise - in MI2 lovin the long hair

Tommo ahh

Note to self: Look before you touch

2005-08-07T20:58:00.000+01:00

True story - meant to post the day it happened

Friends of ours who have recently moved to Cardiff came over for a meeting a week or so ago.

We were in the dining room with some other people. P went into the kitchen to make tea - sounds like a normal evening.
I went to the loo to do a tinkle then went into the kitchen. P was putting something in the bin and so I stroked his bum (I try to be affectionate!).
I turned around and saw P making the tea by the kettle ......to my complete and utter embarressment the bum I had been touching belonged to my male friend from Cardiff. It doesn't even resemble P's so how I got confused I will never know. It was dark. The friend just looked at me so embarressed and like - WHAT ARE YOU DOING JEN - (I bet he was secretly thinking 'I always thought my bum was pretty irresistible')

RARELY AM I LOST FOR WORDS!

2005-08-03T21:52:00.000+01:00

Am gob smacked at BB's latest episodes. Think world has gone utterly mad!

(nb: only watch it when in and don't have company)

(note to self - must stop watching this stupid reality show and concentrate on reading H.Clinton autobiography)

I am not on the top of the world when...in particular order...

2005-07-30T21:33:00.000+01:00

The garage ring and tell me the car is going to take ages to be fixed and it's going to cost alot of money.
The garage then ring and say they now don't know what's wrong with the car and they think it's going to cost alot to fix.
The garage ring a week and a half later to say the car will have to go to another garage to be fixed cos they haven't got a clue how to fix it!!!!!!!!!
The new garage ring and tell me they have tried everything the can and now they are going on guess work as to try and fix it.
I AM STILL WAITING AND THE BILL IS MOUNTING!!!

I'm on top of the world when...in no particular order...

2005-07-30T21:25:00.000+01:00

My lovely mate rings me and tells me she's had a baby girl! WOWOWOW
P walks in from work and kisses me - he says 'hello darling' without saying a word
I can't sleep in the middle of the night and God starts to show me stuff
I'm watching Pride and Prejudice....mmmm Mr Darcy....
Every morning when Little one wakes and smiles more amazingly than words can say

SCARY MOVIES

2005-07-24T21:28:00.000+01:00

I currently find myself in a predicament - EdEd and I are watching a movie that is scary - can't name it right now. I am blogging to avoid the feeling of being afraid - SCARY MOVIES ARE MOST DEFINITELY NOT MY THING.

I'm remembering when I first watched Silence of the Lambs - I couldn't even walk through my parents house where I had lived all my life in the dark on my own! I knew that it was phenomenally unlikely that I or anyone I loved would be the victim of a murderer/cannibal but still it gave me real nightmares and intimidated me. I really ought to just not ever watch movies that are a bit scary but I've noticed that as time has gone on I've got worse. Now instead of just not watching Horror/thriller genre I can't watch things that are tense or remotely nasty. Soon I'll be left with the romance or comedy option - and frankly that's just not great.

Anyway I think i'll finish my Harry Potter - that's about as dangerous as I can cope with - funny I can fight things in the demonic realms but get scared by scary movies! Go Figure!

17th July - Memories in the corners of my mind

2005-07-17T20:53:00.000+01:00

Have you ever noticed how some days are just full of memories - dates are linked with people and events... some dates have great memories and some not so great. Well this date is a tough one for me - tough in the previous relationship sense. I have typed this blog and deleted it a few times now, so as i try and find the words to express my thoughts forgive the ramblingness of this blog.

Y'see just because you break up with someone and life moves on it doesn't mean you don't still care about what happens to them, hope they're happy, growing with God and enjoying life. IT'S A COMPLICATED FEELING ISN'T IT - LETS NOT CONFUSE IT WITH REGRET OR THINK I'M WISHING THINGS WERE DIFFERENT. . .TRULY I HAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER - However on this day I choose to remember the good times, the Wham songs, the times we led worship together, the nights out clubbing, the wine tasting sessions, our couples homegroup . . . we really had some laughs. I'd rather focus on all the good times than the bad. On this day in future i'm gonna choose to celebrate the love we had rather than moan about the bad things that evolved and end up feeling sorry for myself. In the past I have been focused on where and how things went wrong and fruitless sadness like that. Forgiveness is a truly wonderful gift - both being forgiven and doing the forgiving. Heartache is nasty: when I fell in love with EdEd I didn't forget all the experience from before - it's been like a scar - it's faded with time and after a while it's not sensitive any more. Forgiveness has brought a liberty in my heart that I can't explain but am so happy about.

to potter or not to potter - that is the question

2005-07-13T22:50:00.000+01:00

Dear fellow bloggers - On Saturday morning I will be waiting for our good lady postie to deliver my new Harry Potter in the manner of a child waiting for Christmas. I love these books - the originality, the characters, the imagery, the twists. However I am aware of the massive controversy that surrounds these stories in Christian circles. How do you all feel about these wizarding stories? Are they modern classics just like Dahl and Kipling? Or do you think they're evil and should be discouraged among good christian folk? I am interested to know - feel free to be blunt and honest about your opinion.

PS - irritating that there is no sprll chick on blpg

the gift of companionship

2005-07-13T01:20:00.000+01:00

Why is it females often go to the toliet in twos? Is it some link with the animals in the ark? I think not - hope not! There is something in women which makes them enjoy chit chatting with other women. I love being with my girl mates just chatting about stuff. Chilling, hanging out, drinking coffee and eating muffins, shopping, trying on clothes, watching tv, cooking just being in the company of a good mate and relaxing is lush! Why is it men don't go to the toliet in twos?

Mothers reality ride

2005-07-11T07:10:00.000+01:00

Alarm 1 loud blaring sound - Time 5:30 - Husband's wake up call (nasty time of day)
Alarm 2 smiling baby girl - Time 5:53 - Her smiling eyes say to me 'feed me mummy - i'm happy to see you!' she's her fathers daughter so food is probably her first thought of the day.

Lying in bed I watched her smiling for a few minutes - it struck me again how deep the love I feel for her really is. The reach of this love is far, its stretch is wide and its depth is deep. Truely it is beyond my comprehension. I would risk my life to save hers, walk miles to reach her in the desert if she needed help, I could go on and on.

Only in the last few months have I started to truely understand God's love for us. I have sung about it, talked about it, done life with it for 18 years (oldness whince). Yet each day the love I feel for my own daughter grows deeper - the more I realise how much more unfathomable God's love for us is. Truely it is amazing. This isn't sentimental or emotional - it's a ground breaking, life changing, selfless love that is limitless.

Little Madder's

2005-07-10T15:40:00.000+01:00

To everyone who helped yesterday - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU - You made her day special and we love you for it - we really really do xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

woah heat?

2005-07-10T15:31:00.000+01:00

Have you ever thought what it would be like to live in a different country? One where the heat was beating on your head or the icy cold was freezing what seemed to be a permanent drip on the end of your nose - I reckon our little island has wonderful weather - some sun, some rain, a little snow, a little heat wave - really we are blessed. I have heard some people complain about the weather - especially the rainy weather - but y'know some countries have it so hot that they can grow nothing - some have so much rain that all they can grow very little. Why do people moan about the weather - i've never understood it!!!!!! When i hear people moan I just smile an go 'Oh i know' But in my head i'm like 'WILL YOU STOP MOANING - STOP IT - STOP IT NOW!'

2005-07-09T09:01:00.000+01:00

Have finally got around to this - seems very strange to me that i should post some of my thoughts in a place where everyone should see them - will give it a go though.

Can obviously talk and talk and talk endlessly - but typing to no one seems weird!

Today is my baby girls dedication - while i'm not nervous i am conscious that many of the unsaved people in our world, that we do aspects of our life with, are going to be there. I'm lying in bed praying with Madders that they will be touched by God's love and open their hearts to the story of our testimony.